advice on bike saddles

[badger]

hello, this is my first post on this forum. I seem to get directed here whenever I google about bike seats, so I might as well stick around!

I need some input on bike saddles. I currently commute on my cyclocross with an Avocet o2 saddle. It's done me well for the last couple of years, but since it's that synthetic buffalo "leather" it's frayed beyond pathetic now. I really need to replace it, but it's so difficult when everyone's shaped differently and most stores won't let you try them out anymore.

I've recently tried a Terry ATB Comp and found it to be one of the most uncomfortable pieces of bricks shaped like a saddle; I'm numb in minutes.

I'm fairly small, and my sit bones are quite narrow. I'm contemplating a Brooks B-17, but am a bit scared about the initial break in phase.

Any suggestions? thanks!

[Grog]

Hi Badger, and welcome!

You'll find Terry saddles at MEC that you have at least a month (if not three!) to test and return. That's a start.

I have found Dizzy Cycles (on 4th) and Campione (on 7th) somewhat accommodating. I'm not keen on Dizzy's range of products, but they have Specialized BG saddles, which some ladies on this forum seem to enjoy. Campione has a much broader range, but perhaps more on the road bike/racing side. They have Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow saddles, which a few of my friends swear by.

For Brooks, perhaps try La Bicicletta (on Broadway), or perhaps even Mighty Riders (also on Broadway) while you're at MEC...

I've been interested in a Selle An-atomica for a while (available here on TE) but I haven't made a move yet. If you see one somewhere in Vancouver please let me know!!

Good luck!!

[mimitabby]

I'm a real brooks saddle fan. You can order any brooks at wallbike and you get a 6 month guarantee.
I tried the b17 and didn't like it.
About the break in, on the seats I like (the b67) i just start riding. I hardly notice the saddle. I guess what i'm saying is it won't be a day and night change. And if the saddle is really really uncomfortable after it is set up in the right position, no amount of breaking it in is going to change it.

[badger]

thanks guys!

grog: I know all of the stores you speak of, my cyclocross is actually a Cramarotti - and it came with the men's version of Selle Italia but they gave me a damaged one (nose was banged and there was a noticeable rise on where your bits fall, VERY painful!) and swore it had nothing to do with them (doubtful).

I know Ed (Mighty Riders) from when he was working at Main Station Bikes. Not the best of friends, so I've avoided going in there, though anyone who knows anything about bikes swear by MR.

MEC's very heavily stocked on the Terry and I think one Fiz'ik and not sure I like any of their styles. My recent foray into Terry was because I found it for $15 (including shipping!) on ebay...

I got my Avocet O2 from Dizzy, and I can concur with your finding of their selection.

I think I'll try a Brooks through Wallbike - I've been browsing at that site all morning and may give the B-68 a try, as B-17 looks a bit slippery with the smooth leather.

thanks again!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And if the saddle is really really uncomfortable after it is set up in the right position, no amount of breaking it in is going to change it.

I'd have to say that when I first started riding my Brooks saddle, I was in considerable sitbone pain for the first week, less pain and soreness for the second week, then pretty comfortable for the third and fourth week, then VERY comfortable after that. Lots of people might have given up after the first few days. I think a lot of it was not the saddle breaking in, but my sitbones breaking in.
All worth it now, because I love my comfy Brooks saddle.

Badger- expect some slippery feel at first from ANY Brooks. It will go away after a week or so of riding.

[mimitabby]

I think the B68 is an excellent choice. it is more comfortable to me than the b17, it supports the delicate parts better.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I had the B17 and it was not quite wide enough for my sitbones. The B68 is what I have now, and it is just great. The better you support your sitbones, the more weight you will take OFF of your sensitive girly parts.

[Melalvai]

I love my Brooks Champion Flyer S. My sit bones were a little bit sore the first day or two, but nothing major, particularly compared to the pain my girly-bits had been feeling. The Champion Flyer is a B17 with springs, I believe.

Not to mention the status symbol. Every Brooks gets a 2nd look from me. Even an old Brooks that's been mistreated. I see a bike with a Brooks and think "Now there's a REAL cyclist."

My bike, Hulk, won't speak to other bikes unless they have a Brooks. Except for the ones she lives with in the garage. And the ones she spends the day with in the bike shelter. But she is pretty snooty about it. You can hardly live with her since I hand-built a rear wheel for her. She's getting a front wheel with a generator hub for christmas, and I don't know if she'll even let me ride her after that. I may not be good enough for her any more.

[elk]

+1 for all that Mimi and Lisa said.

Getting the Brooks dialed in was the hardest part for me...once I got that right, I didn't care if it was hard...in fact, my specialized padded seat for some odd reason gives me a more sore set of bones than my Brooks. My MAIN concern was keeping pressure off the front parts...and...knock wood..
I haven't had any trouble at all. B67 on my hybrid and B68 on my road bike.

ALso..get the Proofhide and use it liberally. It helps with the slippy part.
I slather it on and let it sit over night before buffing it off. Slather it on the underside and leave it there.
IF you like the Brooks.

The Selle Anatomica is like the B17 in shape but the leather is thinner and softer and it has a cut out.

heehee it's something to be able to GIVE advice on saddles when I was going crazy at first trying to get it right...TE'ers helped me SO much.

[SadieKate]

I currently commute on my cyclocross with an Avocet o2 saddle. It's done me well for the last couple of years, but since it's that synthetic buffalo "leather" it's frayed beyond pathetic now. I really need to replace it, but it's so difficult when everyone's shaped differently and most stores won't let you try them out anymore.

Why not just get the same saddle? They can be difficult to come by but the chromolloy-railed version is out there. My LBS in Davis, CA can get one. I know certain frame builders who can. They can be found on eBay. Probably Palo Alto Bicycles can get one (because they used to or still have an affiliation with Avocet).

I ride the ti-railed version on all my road bikes and adore it. I stockpile it. I haven't found a saddle with anywhere near a similar shape and design.

[badger]

the reason why I'm looking at something other than the Avocet is that I still get numb on it after about an hour. Which really isn't a great thing, is it? and I was really disappointed with the durability, or the lack thereof.

Compared to the Terry (I switched back to my Avocet last night), it's way more comfortable, but I don't find it to be oh-my-god comfortable.

Can someone tell me about the springs on Brooks? I haven't actually looked at them because the look of springs just...well, doesn't look quite right with my cyclocross. Do the springs absorb shock? I can't say I've honestly ridden a bike with springs, but at this point I'm going to say screw it to image, I want comfort now!

[elk]

I think the springs look great...but then I'm a retro freak....
I have them on my hybrid (B68) because I do some really crummy roads on it and they are quite good at absorbing shock. They are heavy though.

I have the B67 (same saddle w/out springs) on my road bike and the difference on bumps is noticeable. But since I rise out of the saddle when I need to, its no big deal.

I think what Knot said about saddle shape has been really useful. Do you prefer a T shape or a pear shape. I love the T shape of the B67/68 because the nose does not chafe my thighs...it's "invisible" unless I want to grip on a turn.

I can;t remember the advantage of the pear shape.
But Wall bike.com has good info and if you call them, they're helpful and nice. And if you get the wrong one, they'll replace it.

[SadieKate]

the reason why I'm looking at something other than the Avocet is that I still get numb on it after about an hour. Which really isn't a great thing, is it? and I was really disappointed with the durability, or the lack thereof.

Ah, then it really hasn't done you well.

More expensive, but ti rails provide more spring than chomolloy rails.

[badger]

I think what Knot said about saddle shape has been really useful. Do you prefer a T shape or a pear shape. I love the T shape of the B67/68 because the nose does not chafe my thighs...it's "invisible" unless I want to grip on a turn.

can you link me to whatever knot said? I'm also wondering about the shape. B-67/68 looks very wide. I've also read on here some time ago when I was googling about Brooks how some women don't like the B-17S for women, and that they find the regualr B-17 better.

Since I do only city riding with no offroad component, perhaps I don't need to consider springs and keep my search to B-68 or B-17.

[mimitabby]

you probably don't need the springs. They are heavy.
The pear shape supports your body weight on your sit bones. if you get too narrow, guess what you are being supported by? the tender things in there.
The "S" size is shorter, for some reason someone thought women would like/want a shorter saddle. I have regular length saddles, and I am not large in any dimension.
I hope that helps.


ps, city riding IMHO is pretty bumpy sometimes. Potholes and cracks can be pretty bad. Unless you live somewhere where roads actually get repaired in a timely way